HRH HIGHWAY TO HELL
Friday 27/8/21
Live review by; DeeDee
The start of the shenanigans, with Friday’s Highway To Hell contest, is always a decent way to get the ball rolling. Despite all the fun and the light hearted atmosphere surrounding the event though, it’s a serious matter, as the winners are rewarded with a record deal and are guaranteed main festival appearances. Past HTH champions have included Gin Annie, Twister and Mason Hill, who are now regular headliners and have chart hits to their names. Due to the enduring problems with Covid we are down to six bands tonight, but that doesn’t lessen the thrill, as we receive our text messages on how and when to vote.
The surprise guest band Enquire Within open the proceedings. Loud and heavy thrashers from South East London they are led by the fearless Jacob Waller on vocals. The band have been around since 2016 and have a new EP due out called ‘Rebirth’. Although we hear many from the debut album ‘Bloodlines’ bashed out tonight, including the popular ‘Battle Torn’. With Jacob’s brother Henry on drums, Amelia on Bass and Dan Lewin gunning the guitar riffs, they are just the band to break the ice.
Fall From Ruin, are a Swindon based band led by the feisty Alicia Griffin on vocals. The line-up has undergone a few changes since they emerged back in 2016 and now alongside Alicia are Michael Pasby and Alan Connolly on guitars, bassist Gabriel Marshall and Sam Bailey on drums. Being first up doesn’t appear to affect their playing, as they deliver a strong and vibrant set. The Stage 2 room is quite full, even this early on and it’s quite evident FFR went down a treat. A quick changeover and Building Giants are next, the four men from Preston have been going since 2017 and already have a couple of releases under their belt. Raw and riff filled guitar with gritty vocals and plenty of hard pummelling throughout. I did like their attitude and being full of confidence they won a few over tonight.
Another female fronted band Bastette leap onto the stage and just after one song you can see that this band have a lot more experience. Vocalist Caroline Eve Kenyon graces the boards in Leopard print flares and oozes style with her Lzzy Hale/Chrissie Hynde looks and appearance. Dominating and evocative she certainly knows how to get the songs across. Bastette can be seen on the road and have a new EP ‘Exposed’ which is out now.
Kaluss are from South Devon and can be described as post grunge, they are soaked in those heavy drawn out chords and the mesmerising soulful tones from lead singer Tristan Everett, combine to epitomise the likes of Soundgarden, Alice in Chains and Pearl Jam. I really like the groove they cast and the warm feel of Seattle, I always liked that sound. Go to their social pages for more info, I’m definitely a fan of these guys now. Fifth band of the six are The Lost Search Party another group with experience and huge potential. The debut EP ‘An Invitation to..’ is 5 tracks of immense pleasure and we heard a lot of it tonight, as well as the obligatory cover that each band had to perform, they chose Zeppelin’s ‘Bring It On Home’ and it was done superbly. The mighty vocals from Nick Kent intermixed with the smooth fret touches of Luke Austin, made it one of the songs of the evening, another band to look out for. The final troop were Cry For Mercy a more mature three-piece if they don’t mind me saying, from the North West. I suppose some would disregard these as serious contenders, due to their longevity but they’ve made it this far and as Kev Plant starts to holler, I can see why they are on the list. What an amazing voice, bluesy and deep throated and very much like Paul Rodgers. I did expect a Bad Company or Free cover, but they did ‘Hush’ the Joe South number, made famous by Deep Purple and that was 100 per cent entertaining. On the road with gigs lined up, be sure to go and watch them.
Well, the final 6 didn’t disappoint and credit to all of them for some brilliant performances. The winners were Bastette and there was no doubt they were the band of the contest, an outstanding set and so good onstage. Runners up were Fall From Ruin, more girl power and also well deserved, it was a gutsy and resilient show. Third came Building Giants who did come across with strength and good material, but the other three were also incredible to witness, so don’t discount any of them, I’m sure we will see all the bands featured on many tours and festivals in the coming months.
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